Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located on a ridge in northern-central New Jersey, within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 24,968, an increase of 1,458 (+6.2%) from the 2010 census count of 23,510, which in turn reflected an increase of 778 (+3.4%) from the 22,732 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
History
Native settlement The Lenape are the ancestral community indigenous to a large chunk of the Mid-Atlantic region, stretching from Eastern Pennsylvania to the Atlantic Ocean, and from Delaware to Southern New York. Scotch Plains and the Mid-Atlantic region was used by the Lenape and their ancestors for roughly 10,000 years. It is suggested that the Lenape used Scotch Plains as a temporary camp in between the highly-utilized Delaware River and mountains to the West, and the Atlantic Ocean to the East.
Chronology and Ways of life From the earliest periods of the Paleo-Indian (10,000-12,000 years ago) to the Archaic Period (4,000-10,000 years ago), there is evidence suggesting a high degree of mobile hunting in the rivers and woods around the Scotch Plains area, with spears, atlatls, and axe heads being found. During the Woodland period (450-4,000 years ago), it was common for communities to make items such as dugout canoes and nets for fishing, two artifacts the Lenape have come to be known for, along with their shelter of choice, the wigwam. During this time they also extensively farmed, moving around to different areas in search of productive land as the seasons progressed.
Colonial era The area known as Scotch Plains was first settled by Europeans, including many Scottish Quakers, as early as 1684.Dudley, William L. "Friendly Families: The Shotwells", The Story of the Friends in Plainfield Including A History of Early Quaker Families, Rahway & Plainfield Friends (Quaker) Meeting, March 29, 1929. Accessed May 22, 2013. The name is said to have come from George Scott, a leader of a group of Scottish settlers.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 1, 2015. It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York City and Philadelphia.
The Lenni Lenape were significantly impacted by the establishment of colonies in the 17th century, with colonists taking up a large majority of land that had once been the living area of the community. In 1778, the US ratified the first treaty with an American Indian tribe, the Treaty of Fort Pitt; the treaty eventually fell apart, causing the inter-cultural relationship to rupture. Today, the Lenni-Lenape, now known as the Delaware Nation, are found in small regions across the US and Canada. A variety of treaties, conflicts, and migration have spread out the community, although a small group continue to live in their ancestral region, hoping to educate and bring to light their claims to the land, including Scotch Plains.
The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington's forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains. The Frazee House in Scotch Plains recalls those skirmishes and, with the acreage adjoining the house, presents a snapshot of the 1770s. This was the home of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee is being restored by local organizations.Major Events and Fundraisers, Rotary Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains. Accessed May 22, 2013.
What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Plainfield Township and Westfield Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed as Scotch Plains on March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 238 re Fanwood Township. p. 241 re Scotch Plains. Accessed May 30, 2024.
Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, the nation's first African-American country club. Its pro, John Shippen, the first African-American golf professional, led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth.Staff. "Making an impact.", Black Enterprise, November 1, 2003. Accessed December 18, 2011. The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.Venutolo, Anthony. "Shady Rest in Scotch Plains was first African-American club of its kind", The Star-Ledger, February 19, 2009. Accessed December 18, 2011.
A much more complete history of the township can be found in the October 28, 1999, "Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual)" issue of The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, produced by the town's newspaper of record at the timeMadison, Deborah. "Scotch Plains and Fanwood – A Tale of Two Communities", The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, October 28, 1999. Accessed September 4, 2014. as well as on the township's website.History, Township of Scotch Plains. Accessed August 26, 2013.
The ancestors of many residents immigrated from the area of Montazzoli, Italy, as part of a wave of Italian immigrants who arrived in the area in the early 20th century.A Brief History of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish, St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish. Accessed January 15, 2016. "A majority of families belonging to the parish in 1948 were a combination of first and second generation Italians, many of whom had migrated to Scotch Plains from Montazzoli, Italy."About Us, Scotch Plains Italian American Club. Accessed January 15, 2016. "Founded in 1906, the Scotch Plains Italian-American Club is a private non-profit organization Montazzolli, Italy originally established by Italian immigrants from the Abruzzi Region of Italy. Largely from the small village of Montazzoli, club members continue to maintain strong ties with its spirited heritage and old world family values characterized by hard work, love, family and a celebration of life."Capuzzo, Jill P. "Where Commuters Can Spread Out", The New York Times, December 17, 2014. Accessed January 15, 2015. "Now home to around 23,500 residents, Scotch Plains saw a big increase in its population in the early 1900s when a large wave of Italians immigrated here, many from a small town in the Abruzzo region, Montazzoli." In recognition of this longstanding connection, the township established "Montazzoli Plaza" in October 2015 in front of the Italian American Club.Mooney, John. "Columbus Day Celebration: Mayor, Council Unveil Montazzoli Plaza in Scotch Plains", TAPIntoScotchPlainsFanwood, October 11, 2015. Accessed January 15, 2015. "For decades, Scotch Plains and the village of Montazzoli, Italy, have been sister cities as hundreds of immigrants left the Abruzzo region of Italy in search of a better life.... On Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Township's Columbus Day celebration, Mayor Kevin Glover announced the creation of Montazzoli Plaza, which will be located in front of the Italian American Club on Valley Ave."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 9.06 square miles (23.46 km2), including 9.02 square miles (23.36 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (0.40%).
The township borders the municipalities of Berkeley Heights, Clark, Fanwood, Mountainside, Plainfield and Westfield in Union County; Edison and South Plainfield in Middlesex County; and Watchung in Somerset County.Areas touching Scotch Plains, MapIt. Accessed March 5, 2020.Union County Municipal Profiles, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed March 5, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Alton, Goodmans, Graceland, Two Bridges and Willow Grove.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 14, 2015.
The Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River additionally flows through Scotch Plains en route to the Robinson's Branch Reservoir.
Demographics
Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Scotch Plains as the most affordable suburb in New Jersey in its 2009 report.Staff. Best Affordable Suburbs 2009, Bloomberg Businessweek. Accessed April 21, 2011.
2020 census +Scotch Plains township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)17,33517,12116,29776.26%72.82%65.27%Black or African American alone (NH)2,5322,5192,36511.14%10.71%9.47%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1623140.07%0.10%0.06%Asian alone (NH)1,6381,7952,6107.21%7.64%10.45%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)2200.01%0.01%0.00%Other race alone (NH)30601450.13%0.26%0.58%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)2844089581.25%1.74%3.84%Hispanic or Latino (any race)8951,8522,5793.94%6.73%10.33%Total22,73223,51024,968100.00%100.00%100.00%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 23,510 people, 8,595 households, and 6,429 families in the township. The population density was . There were 8,896 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 77.43% (18,203) White, 11.08% (2,605) Black or African American, 0.12% (29) Native American, 7.65% (1,799) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 1.39% (327) from other races, and 2.32% (545) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.73% (1,582) of the population.
Of the 8,595 households, 37.4% had children under the age of 18; 62.6% were married couples living together; 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.2% were non-families. Of all households, 21.7% were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.
25.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,873 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,397) and the median family income was $126,138 (+/− $7,410). Males had a median income of $90,016 (+/− $11,033) versus $66,022 (+/− $5,055) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,488 (+/− $3,094). About 1.3% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Scotch Plains township, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 30, 2012.
2000 census